Facebook is one of the most widely used social media platforms in the world. With billions of active users, it has become a frequent target for hackers. If your Facebook account has been compromised, and the hacker changed both your email address and password, it may feel like your identity has been stolen and your social connections erased. Fortunately, Facebook has dedicated tools and procedures in place to help you recover your account and secure it against future breaches.
1. Signs Your Facebook Account Was Hacked
You may not immediately notice your account has been hacked, especially if the hacker tries to be discreet. Here are some common warning signs:
You’re logged out of all devices without your action.
Your email or phone number has been removed or changed.
Friends report receiving odd messages or posts from your account.
Facebook sends you a notification about an unrecognized login.
Your profile name or photo has changed.
You can no longer access your account with your old email and password.
2. What Happens When a Hacker Changes Your Email and Password?
If someone gains control of your account, the first thing they’re likely to do is change your login credentials to lock you out. They may:
Change the email associated with the account.
Change the password so you can’t log in.
Remove your phone number or recovery options.
Activate two-factor authentication (2FA) using their own device.
Use your profile to scam friends or post malicious content.
This creates a serious barrier to account recovery—but it’s not the end of the road.
3. Step-by-Step Recovery Process
Step 1: Visit the Facebook Hacked Account Page
Start by going to facebook.com/hacked. This page is designed specifically for users whose accounts have been compromised.
Click “My Account Is Compromised”.
Enter your last known login email, phone number, or full name.
Facebook will try to identify the account.
Follow the prompts to verify your identity.
If the hacker changed your login email, use your original email or phone number associated with the account before the hack.
4. Using the Facebook “Hacked” Recovery Tool
This tool works even if your email and password have been changed:
After identifying your account, Facebook will show options to send a login code to your previously linked email or phone number.
If these options no longer work, click “No longer have access to these?”
Facebook may then ask security questions, request photo ID, or ask you to recognize friends in tagged photos.
This multi-layered security is intended to prevent unauthorized access while still allowing the real owner to reclaim the account.
5. How to Report a Compromised Account
If you believe the hacker is misusing your account, report it immediately:
Go to this form: facebook.com/help/hacked
Click “Someone else is using my account”
Follow the prompts to submit a report.
If the hacker is posting inappropriate content, this step is crucial to prevent your account from being permanently disabled.
6. What to Do If You No Longer Have Access to Your Email or Phone
If the hacker has removed your recovery options:
Visit: facebook.com/login/identify
Use a friend’s account or trusted device to open the link.
Enter your name, an old email, or phone number.
If found, select “No longer have access?”
Follow the instructions to verify your identity and regain access.
You can also try submitting a form to Facebook at:
👉 facebook.com/help/contact/183000765122339
This form lets you upload a government-issued ID to prove you are the rightful owner.
7. Submitting Identity Verification to Facebook
To confirm your identity, Facebook may ask you to:
Upload a clear photo ID (driver’s license, passport, national ID)
Ensure your name and date of birth match your profile.
Use JPEG or PNG formats for the upload.
Submit the ID through the secure link Facebook provides.
Facebook usually reviews these requests within 48–72 hours, though it may take longer during peak times.
8. How Long Does Recovery Take?
The time to recover a hacked Facebook account varies:
Immediate recovery: If you can receive a code via email or SMS, it can take just minutes.
Using recovery forms: May take 1–5 days.
Appealing via ID submission: Can take up to 7 days or more.
Heavily compromised accounts: May take longer or result in permanent loss.
Facebook doesn’t send updates via chat or phone, so check your email inbox and spam folder regularly.
9. How to Secure Your Account After Recovery
Once you regain access, immediately:
Change your password to something strong and unique.
Turn on two-factor authentication:
Go to Settings > Security > Use 2FA
Use an authenticator app like Google Authenticator
Review active sessions and log out of unknown devices.
Settings > Security and Login > Where You’re Logged In
Re-add a secure email and phone number.
Check your authorized apps and websites.
Remove suspicious apps that could have allowed access.
10. Preventing Future Hacks
To protect your account long-term:
Use a strong, unique password: Combine uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols.
Don’t reuse passwords across platforms.
Enable login alerts for unrecognized logins.
Avoid clicking on suspicious links or ads.
Never enter your password on sites that aren’t Facebook.com.
Run antivirus scans regularly on your devices.
Review your Facebook privacy and security settings quarterly.
11. Legal Implications of a Hacked Facebook Account
If your hacked account was used to:
Scam others for money,
Spread hate speech or explicit content,
Impersonate public figures,
…you could face unintended consequences. That’s why prompt action is crucial.
In severe cases involving identity theft or impersonation, report the incident to local law enforcement and file a complaint with your country’s cybercrime unit.
12. FAQs
Q1: Can I contact Facebook directly via phone or email?
No. Facebook does not offer phone or email support for personal accounts. Use the Facebook Help Center and official recovery forms.
Q2: I didn’t set up two-factor authentication—can I still recover my account?
Yes. Facebook has fallback options such as identity verification, trusted contacts, and security questions.
Q3: What if the hacker changed my name and profile picture?
You can still recover your account using your previous email, phone number, or ID.
Q4: Can I recover my Facebook without access to my original phone or email?
Yes. Use the “no access” options during recovery, or submit an ID form to Facebook.
Q5: Will Facebook notify me after my account is recovered?
Yes. You will receive a confirmation email to the address on file.
13. Final Words
Recovering a Facebook account after it’s been hacked—and the login email and password have been changed—can be a daunting process. But Facebook provides a clear pathway for users to reclaim access through identity verification, recovery tools, and support forms. The most important steps are to act quickly, stay calm, and follow Facebook’s official channels.